Brandegee's buckwheat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brandegee's buckwheat |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eriogonum
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| Species: |
brandegeei
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Eriogonum brandegeei is a special kind of flowering plant. It's often called Brandegee's buckwheat. This plant belongs to the buckwheat family. You can only find it in Colorado, USA. It grows in Fremont and Chaffee Counties. This makes it an endemic species.
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Brandegee's Buckwheat: A Unique Plant
What Does Brandegee's Buckwheat Look Like?
This plant is quite small. It grows to about 25 centimeters (10 inches) tall. Its stems and leaves have a soft, grayish, woolly feel. The leaves grow in a cluster near the ground. They are shaped like a spear or a small oval. Each leaf can be up to 4 or 5 centimeters long.
The plant has tiny flowers. They are yellowish-white or pink. These flowers grow in a cluster at the top of each stem. Each flower cluster is about 1 to 1.5 centimeters wide. You can see these flowers from July all the way to October. In the winter, the plant changes color. It turns a pretty purple shade.
Where Does Brandegee's Buckwheat Grow?
This plant likes to grow in special soil. This soil has a lot of bentonite. Bentonite soil is tricky for many plants. So, areas with this soil often don't have many plants. Brandegee's buckwheat can grow there.
It grows on certain geological formations. These are called the Dry Union Formation and Morrison Formation. It can grow on flat ground. It also grows on steep slopes. The main type of area it lives in is a pinyon-juniper woodland. You might also find it in shrublands.
Many other plants grow near it. Some examples are Atriplex canescens, Opuntia imbricata, and Bouteloua gracilis.
Protecting Brandegee's Buckwheat
What Harms the Plant?
The biggest danger to Brandegee's buckwheat is outdoor fun. People using off-road vehicles can harm it. The plant often grows on bare slopes. These slopes are attractive to off-road vehicle users. Horseback riding can also be a problem.
More and more homes are being built. This is another growing threat. New houses are taking over the plant's habitat. Fremont County's population grew a lot between 1990 and 2000. Chaffee County also grew quickly. This growth means less space for the plant.
Other Possible Dangers
Mining for bentonite could be a threat. But it is not happening right now. Digging for fossils is a very small threat. Livestock grazing can also cause problems. It makes the soil wear away faster. This is called erosion.
Even with these threats, the plant seems to be doing okay. Its numbers appear stable.
